Bandy Bandy Vermicella annulata

Snakes of Victoria series

Identification

The Bandy Bandy, Vermicella annulata, is instantly identifiable by the alternate black and white bands around the body. The mid-body scales are in 15 rows, the anal scale is divided and there are 10-30 divided subcaudal scales. Maximum length attained is a little over 60 cm.

Distribution and habitat

Within Victoria the Bandy Bandy is restricted to northern areas, where it is now considered rare.

Biology and bite

A nocturnal, burrowing species, the Bandy Bandy is rarely encountered. It feeds exclusively on blind snakes (Typhlopidae) and has been known to swallow specimens as large as itself. Females lay up to 13 eggs in a clutch. While venomous, it is not considered dangerous to adults. If bitten on a limb, apply a pressure bandage, immobilise the limb and seek medical advice immediately. If bitten elsewhere, apply continual direct pressure to the bite site. Do not wash the wound as the venom can confirm the identification of the snake.

Further Reading

Coventry, A. J. and Robertson, P. 1991. The Snakes of Victoria – A Guide to their Identification. Department of Conservation & Environment/Museum of Victoria.

We forwarded your question to Museum Victoria’s Live Exhibits team who provided us with the following information:

As Bandy Bandy's feed exclusively on Blind snakes, it will be almost impossible to lure the snake out of hiding. They are primarily nocturnal, so actively searching at night is probably the best option. The Bandy Bandy has a small mouth and a gentle temperament and is reluctant to bite, but because it is venomous you may like to consider a professional snake catcher to remove it.

We nearly trod on one tonight - it looked full size, was moving slowly across our yard toward the chicken coop. I've seen some holes in the vegie garden recently appear, they look about the right size for this guy. We live in the Channon, Northern Rivers.

I've just rescued one of these beautiful snakes from our backyard swimming pool. It must have fallen in whilst searching for water and then couldn't get back out again, it's about 40cm or so in length. I discovered it floating around on the vacuum hose in the pool. Scooped him out with the pool net and thankfully it appears in good health. We will release it back into the garden tonight. We live in Willawarrin near Kempsey N.S.W.

i saw a snake at night on a farm near Wingham NSW.
there are stevens banded in the area but this was more pronounced white and black. It moved in a confusing looping way,fast. Is there any way to distinguish the two snakes ?

I just got back from a night mountain bike ride in the Royal National Park in NSW and came across one on the fire trail running along the tram tracks. I only spotted it as I was just about to ride over it! I think I managed to miss it and it wriggled off into the grass. It was approx 45cm. Scared the pants off me!

I'm sure this is the type of snake my cat just threw up on my kitchen floor. Beautiful black and silver-white scales, was skinnier than my little finger so I reckon it was a baby. We live in Central Queensland too.

Hubby just caught a young one, 30cm long, this evening to show me when I got home. He nearly stepped on it. It is the fourth one we have seen here over the years, the others have been fully grown. We have let it go again in the garden.

Saw one last night on our verandah. Probably coming out of the rain. I have seen them before but this one was at least 85 cms. long which made me wonder because I thought they were a smaller snake. We are outside Nambour in Queensland.

Hi Gay - Glad your dog is OK! As always though, if you feel threatened by a snake, call an expert to remove it. Most bites occur when people attempt to remove or kill a snake (and snakes are also protected wildlife).

Nicole
8 January, 2015 13:25

We saw what we think was a bandy bandy in our back yard under some wood in Lismore, NSW. Quite exciting for our family from NZ to find (after checking the internet to check what it was!)

My daughter just got the fright of her life, swimming in the pool and a bandy bandy swims out of the filter box. Beautiful looking snake. We are Blue Mountains NSW, have never seen one of these here!!!

Woke up at 2.00am to the sound of barking dogs! Have a look round the corner and there is a bandy bandy all looped up defending itself. Watched it slither under my caravan where I'm staying and spent the last half hour with a torch trying to figure out where it went...fair to say I haven't gotten back to sleep since... Keep
worring about the dogs and about where the bloody thing got to!

Driving along a bitumen road tonight drove past one that had been run over maybe 35 cm long. Never seen one before, so stopped on the way home and checked itout. Drove on and about 5km further on, there was another one! Both unfortunately dead - been here 20 plus years seen heaps of browns, rb blacks, pythons, gr and br tree snakes, night tigers, never seen these before though, quite a stunning snake.